Notre Dame High School (Belmont, California)
Encyclopedia
Notre Dame High School, Belmont is a private
, All-Female
, Catholic
, college preparatory high school located in the San Mateo County
suburb of Belmont, California
. The school is operated by the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur
for the Archdiocese of San Francisco
. The school's mission is driven by the teachings of Saint Julie Billiart, the foundress of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur.
The present high school building, designed for a large resident population, was completed in the fall of 1928. The first graduation from the new high school building was held in 1930 with 31 graduates. During the next three decades, Notre Dame's day and resident student population continued to grow. In 1968, the Stanford School of Educational Research conducted a general study of the high school facility. As a result, the science area was renovated to provide increased laboratory space. The introduction of flexible scheduling followed and enabled greater utilization of the high school building. An additional classroom enlarged the art department, and former resident rooms were converted into seminar rooms and resource centers. In 1972, the boarding school was discontinued.
Today, Notre Dame High School appears to be quite different from Notre Dame Academy and the College of Notre Dame in San Jose; yet, in many ways it is the same. The school continues to provide an educational foundation which emphasizes academic excellence, spiritual growth, critical thinking, creative expression, physical well-being, social awareness, and self-confidence. Reflecting the vision of St. Julie Billiart and her pioneer Sisters, Notre Dame High School will continue to be a special place for students to learn, grow, and prepare for life.
The official school colors are navy blue and gold
Each grade also has their own colors and mascots, which were voted on at the beginning of their freshmen year. Currently, they are:
. In addition, the Notre Dame choir program has received special recognition including many first place trophies at various competitions, and a proclamation made by the Belmont City Council in late 2008.
, cheerleading
, banner design, and a series of dances. Students perform musical numbers, called deck routines, to introduce the swim acts, and a crowd adorned in class colors (red, green, purple, and blue) scream cheers for their classmates. The teachers also perform a deck routine as do the members of ASB (Associate Student Body). Each year there is an overall theme and then each class has a sub-theme. All routines are representative of their sub-theme, except for the ASB, whose routine encompasses all classes' themes, and the teachers, who get their own sub-theme. A committee of alumni judge all performances in addition to each class's overall spirit to determine the winner.
These are past themes:
2011
2010
2009
2008
2007
2006
2005**
2004
2003
Private school
Private schools, also known as independent schools or nonstate schools, are not administered by local, state or national governments; thus, they retain the right to select their students and are funded in whole or in part by charging their students' tuition, rather than relying on mandatory...
, All-Female
Single-sex education
Single-sex education, also known as single-gender education, is the practice of conducting education where male and female students attend separate classes or in separate buildings or schools. The practice was predominant before the mid-twentieth century, particularly in secondary education and...
, Catholic
Roman Catholic Church
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...
, college preparatory high school located in the San Mateo County
San Mateo County, California
San Mateo County is a county located in the San Francisco Bay Area of the U.S. state of California. It covers most of the San Francisco Peninsula just south of San Francisco, and north of Santa Clara County. San Francisco International Airport is located at the northern end of the county, and...
suburb of Belmont, California
Belmont, California
Belmont is a city in San Mateo County, California, United States. It is in the San Francisco Bay Area, located half-way down the San Francisco Peninsula between San Mateo and San Carlos. It was originally part of the Rancho de las Pulgas, for which one of its main roads, the Alameda de las Pulgas,...
. The school is operated by the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur
Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur
The Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur, is the name of a Roman Catholic order of religious sisters, dedicated to providing education to the poor.The order was founded in Amiens in 1803, but the opposition of the local bishop to missions outside his diocese led to the moving of headquarters to then...
for the Archdiocese of San Francisco
Roman Catholic Archdiocese of San Francisco
The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of San Francisco is an ecclesiastical territory or diocese of the Catholic Church in the northern California region of the United States. It covers the City and County of San Francisco and the Counties of Marin and San Mateo...
. The school's mission is driven by the teachings of Saint Julie Billiart, the foundress of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur.
History
On August 4, 1851, Notre Dame Academy was established by the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur in San Jose. The Academy, one of the earliest secondary schools to be accredited by the State of California, included elementary and high school classes for local students and was a separate entity from the College of Notre Dame which served high school and college resident students at the same location. Because of increased enrollment in both the resident and day student population, a new building was erected in 1853, and the first Mass was celebrated in the chapel on January 1, 1854. The curriculum was rigorous and included Latin, English, French, German, Spanish, mathematics, science, astronomy, botany, music, art, drama, physical education, secretarial studies, homemaking, and sewing.The present high school building, designed for a large resident population, was completed in the fall of 1928. The first graduation from the new high school building was held in 1930 with 31 graduates. During the next three decades, Notre Dame's day and resident student population continued to grow. In 1968, the Stanford School of Educational Research conducted a general study of the high school facility. As a result, the science area was renovated to provide increased laboratory space. The introduction of flexible scheduling followed and enabled greater utilization of the high school building. An additional classroom enlarged the art department, and former resident rooms were converted into seminar rooms and resource centers. In 1972, the boarding school was discontinued.
Today, Notre Dame High School appears to be quite different from Notre Dame Academy and the College of Notre Dame in San Jose; yet, in many ways it is the same. The school continues to provide an educational foundation which emphasizes academic excellence, spiritual growth, critical thinking, creative expression, physical well-being, social awareness, and self-confidence. Reflecting the vision of St. Julie Billiart and her pioneer Sisters, Notre Dame High School will continue to be a special place for students to learn, grow, and prepare for life.
Student council
Each class has 7 officers and homeroom presidents for each homeroom. The 7 offices are: president, vice president, secretary/treasurer, historian, athletics, activities, and mascot. There are also 6 student body officers, called the Associated Student Body (ASB), who work with the director of student activities in coordinating the programs listed. Student Council meetings are held twice a month. Student body officers run the meetings. All class officers and advisory presidents are asked to attend, but any student may attend a student council meeting. Student Council members also attend three leadership conferences/retreats per year.Leadership seminars
There are many opportunities for students to sharpen their leadership skills. Monthly leadership seminars are held on topics ranging from "How to Run a Meeting" to "Understanding Self & Others." Students receive a certificate at the end of the year indicating which seminars they attended.School mascot
Two students share the position of "NDB Tiger." They make appearances at school, athletic, and community events.The official school colors are navy blue and gold
Each grade also has their own colors and mascots, which were voted on at the beginning of their freshmen year. Currently, they are:
- Class of 2012
- Color: Green
- Mascot: Warriors
- Class of 2013
- Color: Purple
- Mascot: Olympians
- Class of 2014
- Color: Blue
- Mascot: Tritons
- Class of 2015
- Color: Red
- Mascot: Gladiators
- Past Mascots:
- 2011: Spartans
- 2010: Knights
- 2009: Patriots
- 2008: Titans
- 2007: Pirates
- 2006: Broncos
- 2005: Pythons
- 1982: Sailors
- 1981: Vikings
- 1964: Scots
Clubs
There are over 20 clubs at Notre Dame. A member of the faculty or staff moderates each club. Clubs meet regularly to plan activities. Students are welcome to join a club at any time during the school year. If a student would like to start a club, they are welcome to do so under the guidance of the Director of Student Activities.Performing Arts
In July 2008, a combined choir represented Notre Dame at World Youth Day 2008 in Sydney, Australia. The choir sang for over 300,000 people prior to a mass presided by Pope Benedict XVIPope Benedict XVI
Benedict XVI is the 265th and current Pope, by virtue of his office of Bishop of Rome, the Sovereign of the Vatican City State and the leader of the Catholic Church as well as the other 22 sui iuris Eastern Catholic Churches in full communion with the Holy See...
. In addition, the Notre Dame choir program has received special recognition including many first place trophies at various competitions, and a proclamation made by the Belmont City Council in late 2008.
Rallies and assemblies
Spirit rallies are held several times during the school year to honor sports teams or simply to celebrate school spirit! Rallies take place in the NDB gym. Awareness raising assemblies are also held. Past topics include: mental health, abstinence, and forgiveness. These assemblies are held for the entire school as well as for smaller groups of students.Dances
Dances are held on four Friday evenings during the school year. Each dance has a theme, which is chosen by student council. All NDB students are invited to buy tickets for the dance on a first come, first served basis. All dances are chaperoned by a crew of faculty and parents. Notre Dame dances have some rules, but fun. The dances held at NDB have a purpose of bring our "sisters" together while enjoying their time on a Friday night.Aquacades
One of the high school's most beloved and fun traditions is an annual event called Aquacades, in which the four grade levels compete against one another in different routines: synchronized swimmingSynchronized swimming
Synchronized swImming is a hybrid form of swimming, dance and gymnastics, consisting of swimmers performing a synchronized routine of elaborate moves in the water, accompanied by music....
, cheerleading
Cheerleading
Cheerleading is a physical activity, sometimes a competitive sport, based on organized routines, usually ranging from one to three minutes, which contain the components of tumbling, dance, jumps, cheers, and stunting to direct spectators of events to cheer on sports teams at games or to participate...
, banner design, and a series of dances. Students perform musical numbers, called deck routines, to introduce the swim acts, and a crowd adorned in class colors (red, green, purple, and blue) scream cheers for their classmates. The teachers also perform a deck routine as do the members of ASB (Associate Student Body). Each year there is an overall theme and then each class has a sub-theme. All routines are representative of their sub-theme, except for the ASB, whose routine encompasses all classes' themes, and the teachers, who get their own sub-theme. A committee of alumni judge all performances in addition to each class's overall spirit to determine the winner.
These are past themes:
2011
- Theme: Music Legends
- Seniors: Rock Legends
- Juniors: Pop Legends
- Sophomores: Jazz/Blues/R&B/Motown Legends
- Freshmen: Latin Legends
- Winner: Seniors
2010
- Theme: Awards Ceremonies
- Seniors: Grammys
- Juniors: Tonys
- Sophomores: Oscars
- Freshmen: Emmys
- Winner: Seniors
2009
- Theme: Cruisin' America
- Seniors: California
- Juniors: New York
- Sophomores: Tennessee
- Freshman: Florida
- Winner: Juniors
2008
- Theme: Decades
- Seniors: 1980s
- Juniors: 1990s
- Sophomores: 1970s
- Freshman: 1960s
- Winner: Seniors
2007
- Theme: Disneyland
- Seniors: California Adventure
- Juniors: Fantasyland
- Sophomores: Adventureland
- Freshman: Tomorrowland
- Winner: Juniors
2006
- Theme: Music Genres
- Seniors: Rock
- Juniors: Pop
- Sophomores: Hip-Hop
- Freshman: Country
- Winner: Seniors
2005**
- Theme: Movie Production Companies
- Seniors: Disney
- Juniors: Paramount
- Sophomores: ?
- Freshman: Columbia
- Winner: Seniors
2004
- Theme: Decades
- Seniors: 1970s
- Juniors: 1980s
- Sophomores: 1990s
- Freshman: 1950s
- Winner: Seniors
2003
- Theme: States in America
- Seniors: California
- Juniors: New York
- Sophomores: Texas
- Freshman: Florida
- Winner: Seniors
Spirit points
Spirit points are awarded to classes that have the most involvement in a particular activity (Aquacades, food drive, fundraiser, etc.). At the end of the year, the class with the most spirit points is awarded the spirit trophy.Notable alumnae
- Olivia de HavillandOlivia de HavillandOlivia Mary de Havilland is a British American film and stage actress. She won the Academy Award for Best Actress in 1946 and 1949. She is the elder sister of actress Joan Fontaine. The sisters are among the last surviving leading ladies from Hollywood of the 1930s.-Early life:Olivia de Havilland...
, actress - Yasmine PahlaviYasmine PahlaviYasmine Pahlavi is the wife of Reza Pahlavi, the last crown prince of the former Imperial State of Iran.-Biography:...
, wife of Reza PahlaviReza PahlaviReza Pahlavi may refer to:*Reza Shah , aka Reza Shah Pahlavi, Shah of Persia from 1925 until 1935 and Shah of Iran from 1935 until 1941* Mohammad Reza Pahlavi , Shah of Iran from 1941 to 1979, son of Reza Shah...
, former Crown Prince of Iran.
See also
- San Mateo County high schools
- Archdiocese of San FranciscoRoman Catholic Archdiocese of San FranciscoThe Roman Catholic Archdiocese of San Francisco is an ecclesiastical territory or diocese of the Catholic Church in the northern California region of the United States. It covers the City and County of San Francisco and the Counties of Marin and San Mateo...
- Junipero Serra High School, San Mateo
- Mercy High School, Burlingame
- Notre Dame High School, San Jose